To Ty, On Your First Day of Kindergarten

Dear my sweetest, most handsome Ty,

Today is your first day of kindergarten - the very first day of a 12-year journey that will take you right into adulthood.  How did we get here?!  Wasn't it just a few months ago that we took that snail-paced drive home from the hospital to begin our life together??  Every milestone that seemed to take f.o.r.e.v.e.r to reach; every first - your first smile, first step, first graham cracker; and every mundane moment that taught me how to be a parent...how is it possible that those years are now behind us and we're about to begin this next chapter??

As you start this new journey in your life I hope you know how proud you make us.  Can you feel the pride that we feel when we look at you?  I hope so, because sometimes it's so great that I feel like I might burst.  The determination that you have to be independent, the persistence you show when you are learning a new skill, and the strength that you have to keep growing as an individual is nothing short of inspiring.  These qualities will serve you well as you continue to learn and grow on this new adventure.

Some days on this journey are going to be tough, though.  You are going to be asked to stretch your brain just a little bit further, try new things, and be brave when those new things feel scary.  On these days, just remember that your family will be waiting at home to give you the hug that you need and the push that you need to keep on going.  Because really, we know you can do it; and it's the tough days that will allow you to grow the most.

While we're talking about the tough stuff, let's talk about the other kids.  You are going to meet all sorts of new kids and adults in this journey of yours.  Some will even become great friends!  These are the ones who like you for who you are and treat you with the kindness that you deserve.
But there will also be kids who will not become your friend, who might even say or do things that might not be very nice.  Just remember that you are worthy of friends who do make you feel happy - stick with those friends and you will be a-okay.  Above all though, I hope that you are a good friend to others.  Remember that other people don't define you - YOU define you.  The way that you act, react and treat others defines your character.  That's a big one - always remember that.


Well, Ty, as I count down the minutes until you walk off that bus, I hope this first day of your new journey is everything that I imagine for you.  I hope you are feeling loved by your teachers; I hope you had a friend to sit next to during snack; and I hope you are learning a new song that you can't wait to come home and sing to me.  Whatever this day brings - whatever this journey brings - just know that we are with you every step of the way.

Love,
Your Biggest Fans

 

 

Grandy

This weekend we said goodbye to one of the strongest, most honorable men I have ever known. Dave Gorman was a Marine Corps veteran and an all-around successful man, but to his 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren he was just "Grandy".  Grandy was the guy who climbed his giant ladder to fix the moon and make it whole again.  He taught me to play chess, shoot a gun, catch a fish and waterski.  He took a good shot at trying to convince me to join the military at one point too, but that wasn't meant to be!  Having Grandy in my life has created a lifetime's worth of memories - Boston cream donuts for breakfast, rolling coins at the kitchen table, getting ice cream at Bubbling Brook, riding the tractor, and taking the elevator to the top floor of the John Hancock building to look out over Boston.  As far as grandfathers go, Grandy was top-notch.  I am so grateful to have grown up with grandparents who were so involved in my life.

In the last 5 years Grandy has become Great-Grandy to 5 little kiddos, too.  Ty and Brady in particular loved their Great-Grandy.  Several mornings a week Ty would wake up and ask, "What's Grandy doing?"  Ty loved to build card houses and play cars and trucks with him, too.  And just this weekend, as we got ready to go to Nanny's house, Brady was so excited thinking that he would see Grandy there.  I am forever grateful that my boys had the chance to know and play with him. And even though Paige is too young to remember Grandy, he mentioned several times how she reminded him of my grandmother, so I'm pretty sure she had a special place in his heart as well.

Yesterday, Grandy went to be with Grandmum after more than 7 years.  I'm pretty sure they have a lot to catch up on, and I know he is so happy to be back with her!  You are going to be greatly missed, Grandy!!!

Ty Turns 5

Today my first baby turns 5.  Ty's birthday every year brings back memories of his unique entrance into the world - the challenges, surprises, and overwhelming love that accompanied his tiny 6 pound self into our lives.  His first birthday was a celebration of making it through that first year - the hundreds of doctors and therapy appointments, and the realization that he was going to be just fine.

Now, at five years old, it seems like we've reached another milestone in Ty's journey.  Our baby is becoming a little boy.  He has defied the odds and predictions once laid out about his life, and has stomped a path in a direction all his own.  At five years old, Ty is fiercely independent.  If there's a chance he can do it on his own, he will.  His curiosity and desire to learn just shine.  His mind is quick and creative.  Just tonight, I was playing a game of "memory" against Ty with his sight words on the iPad.  I wish I could say I was letting him win, but I wasn't - he was just as excited to see me get matches as he was to find them himself, so why would I deprive him of that joy?!  But...he won.  That kid's visual memory is incredible.  At this point in time, on the cusp of kindergarten, Ty is beginning to read "level As" and picks up new words daily.  To my surprise, he has also shown that he is beginning to sound out words letter-by-letter, and can spell his most familiar sight words from memory.  He recently finally learned to write his name (T-y was the best name we could have given him!), and he's working SO hard at learning to write the alphabet.  He knows his first and last names and kindly refers to us as "Kerry and Eric" (only when he really needs our attention of course).  Ty knows every word to every Thomas song ever written, and his dance moves have never been better.   He is absolutely soaring.

A quote in a book that I'm reading talks about the ability to "go with the flow" -

"maybe that happens when you've been through a lot. all of your edges are worn off, like sea            glass. either that, or you shatter" - Holly Goldberg Sloan

I'd like to think Ty has helped me become more like sea glass.  With all we've been through together, the edges have worn down and we are now able to roll with the punches and see what life has in store.  Ty's path so far has gone in directions that we had never before predicted, and every milestone that he reaches is a celebration of this amazing little person who entered our lives five years ago.

Happy, happy birthday to my first baby, who is so quickly growing up before my eyes!   May all of your wishes (likely of trains and music and silliness) come true! 

Paige's Baptism

Our little girl was baptized on Sunday alongside her cousin Cameron!  It turned out to be the sunniest, warmest day we have had in months, and we had a great time hanging out with family and friends to celebrate our two little peanuts!

My very talented mother made Paige's christening gown out of my wedding dress.  All of the beadwork was sewn onto the top of Paige's gown, and it was absolutely beautiful.  She looked like such a little princess - I still can't believe I have a little girl!!!

The ceremony was short and sweet, as Paige and Cam were the only two getting baptized that day.  It was nice having a private ceremony, and a church with only our friends and family there!  (I appreciated the small audience even more when not once, but twice, my darling of a two year old ran up to the altar yelling "Look at the candle!  I want to count the candles!  One, two, three...").  Paige's godparents, Auntie Mel and Uncle Jeff, did a great job, and she is so lucky to have both of them!  I promise, despite the pictures, she really was happy!

It was a beautiful day to celebrate my little girl and my precious little nephew!